2008 New York Auto Show: 2009 Volvo XC60

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Introduction

• What's New - The XC60 is an all-new model from Volvo that goes on sale in the U.S. in early 2009. This crossover slots below the much larger XC90 and offers up a powerful turbocharged six-cylinder engine, luxury interior trim and an all-new safety feature called City Safe, designed to help drivers avoid low-speed collisions.
• Why It Matters - As the small premium crossover category expands, consumers are faced with a dizzying array of choices from a number of manufacturers. Volvo is targeting young singles and families looking to move up to a larger car, but not willing to give up sporty driving. Volvo Cars president and CEO says the XC60 could be a C30 owner's "next car." With good looks and nearly 300 horsepower, he may be on to something.

2009 Volvo XC60 Preview - 2008 New York Auto Show: When Volvo showed the XC60 concept at last year's Detroit show, few wondered whether it previewed a production vehicle. After all, Volvo all but said a production version would follow. However, many wondered if the XC60 concept's sexy curves would translate to a production model. Well, the wait is over, and the production model that debuted in Geneva earlier this month is in New York, looking very much like that concept. That production version debuted earlier this month at the Geneva Auto Show, and lo and behold, it really did look very similar to the concept.

So how will Volvo distinguish itself from the growing crowd of "small premium utility" vehicles, as it defines the segment? With three key elements: style, performance and - you guessed it - safety.

2009 Volvo XC60 - Notable Features

The Volvo XC60 is packed with safety features, not surprisingly for a Volvo. The most noteworthy among them is a new feature called City Safe.

City Safe is an automatic braking system, it uses a laser sensor to monitor traffic ahead of the vehicle at speeds up to 19 mph. If it senses the vehicle ahead as slowed suddenly, it will pre-charge the brakes for maximum braking efficiency. If the driver still isn't paying attention and City Safe determines an accident is about to happen, it will actually apply the brakes, slowing the car. Volvo says that if the difference between the vehicles is less than 9 mph, City Safe could help the driver avoid an accident altogether. Between 9 and 19 mph, it's designed to mitigate the accident as much as possible.

The XC60 also has a few other safety goodies up its sleeve. The Dynamic Stability and Traction Control (DSTC) has been upgraded to enhance control in emergency situations. The XC60 also comes with Pre-Prepared Restraints, which links the seatbelts to the safety sensors in the rest of the vehicle; if the system detects that a low-speed collision is imminent, it will override the usual mechanism and not deploy the seatbelt pretensioners.

2009 Volvo XC60 - Under the Hood

There is one powertrain available in the 2009 Volvo XC60: A 3.0-liter turbocharged six-cylinder mated to a six-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive. Rated at 281 horsepower and 295 lb.-ft. of torque, this powertrain should have no trouble moving the XC60's 4300 pounds with ease.

Drivers looking for fun will have more than just a powerful engine at their disposal. The six-speed automatic features Volvo's Geartronic manual shift function, and Volvo says its all-wheel drive system further enhances traction in any weather or road condition.

The XC60's suspension is all independent, and with 9 inches of ground clearance it is designed for off-road duty as well as on-road. A trailer towing stability control called Trailer Stability Assist helps keep trailers from swaying back and forth, using the stability control to keep the rig from "snaking" and potentially creating a hazardous situation.

Other mechanical goodies include an electronically adjustable suspension. This allows the driver to chose between Comfort, Advanced and Sport settings to optimize the kind of driving he or she wants at any given time. The XC60 also comes with three-level speed-sensitive power steering.

2009 Volvo XC60 - Design

It used to be that when a car company introduced a stunning concept vehicle, the reality was, well, not so stunning. These days though, the concept very often makes it into reality, and that's the case with the XC60.

This is a good looking vehicle from nose to tail. The soft curves look muscular, there's a grace to the lines that's hard to find in the segment, and despite the lack of outright luxury cues it's an expensive looking vehicle. Volvo inarguably nailed the styling on this one, and we hope the person who held the pen got a good sized bonus this year.

Inside it's much the same. Volvo interiors border on the austere, but this one looks warm and inviting in photos. We'll have to wait until we can get our hands on one to see if it's as comfortable as it looks.

2009 Volvo XC60 - Competitors

The XC60 has its work cut out for it in the small luxury crossover segment. It's a growing area as manufacturers cue in to the fact that buyers want to move up in prestige from their RAV4s and CR-Vs, but not necessarily size.

The prime competitor is the BMW X3, which has been the benchmark since its introduction a few years ago. With similar power, size and ability, it's a tough act to follow. Also in the hunt are vehicles like the Acura RDX, which emphasizes on-road performance rather than off-road ability. There's also the newly introduced Infiniti EX35, and the Lexus RX 350 as well.

By Keith Buglewicz
Photo credit: Volvo

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